Ford 917 Flail Mower

   / Ford 917 Flail Mower #1  
A

Agent Blue

Platinum Member
Joined
Mar 14, 2008
Messages
608
Going next week to look at a 917 flail that needs cutters. The rest is supposed to be in good condition. Anyone have any info on this machine, is it a Ford or renamed Italian brand with Ford decals ? Paint is supposed to be orig and good cond so it can't be too old. Any idea what these bring ? Thanks
 
   / Ford 917 Flail Mower #2  
A 917 flail with no letter suffix will be no less than 18 years old. Be certain the rotor isn't bent or twisted. If so, it's worth about 10 cents a pound.
 
   / Ford 917 Flail Mower
  • Thread Starter
#3  
That could be the reason why some of the cutters strike the metal shielding. Is a bent rotar a common problem ? I will be sure and check this closely. Thanks for the tip.
 
   / Ford 917 Flail Mower #5  
Agent Blue said:
That could be the reason why some of the cutters strike the metal shielding. Is a bent rotar a common problem ? I will be sure and check this closely. Thanks for the tip.
Click to expand...
A bent rotor will cause major vibration when revolving at speed. But that's uncommon. Striking w/o vibration is usually from worn hangers and knives. Look for knives with oblong attachment holes and hangers with deep grooves at the bottom of the V. In effect, this wear has stretched the length of the cutting edges. When you multiply that by 3 rows, it doesn't take long to extend the diameter of the spinning drum of knives.

Oh, and yes - it's a made-in-the-USA machine. Parts readily available. I use FlailMaster and Messicks

//greg//
 
Last edited:
   / Ford 917 Flail Mower
  • Thread Starter
#6  
I was Lucky... got some e mail pictures. Going to pass as it needs alot of work. The cutters were striking the main shield in the center which may indicate the rotar is not exactly true. The owner bought it, tried it out, and wants to sell as he purchased another machine. I never gave it a thought about the possibility of a bent rotar. This thread is a great teacher.... thanks rick !

Just a quick thought..... if the hangers did elonggate why would this not happen on the entire length of the rotar ? It appears the metal is bulging in the center of the shield. Regardless something terrible happened at this point. It makes sense a minor bend / flex / twist / would be in the center of a seven foot shaft... usually not at the end where it is well supported. Again anything is possible but I don't have the time to go through it. Besides when your all done cutting welds, replacing shields, adding expensive parts, you still end up with an old machine of minimal value. Like rick said..... ten cents a pound.
 
   / Ford 917 Flail Mower #7  
Agent Blue said:
... if the hangers did elonggate why would this not happen on the entire length of the rotar ?
Click to expand...
Exactly. But it won't vibrate badly as in the case of a bent rotor. So you'd have to witness this one actually running to make sure. All knives and hangers wear, not all rotors bend.

Even when not bent, there is some inherent vibration. The 917 parts lists has balance weights that are attached to the rotor for fine tuning of an otherwise true rotor with good knives and hangers.

//greg//
 
Last edited:
   / Ford 917 Flail Mower #8  
Agent Blue said:
I was Lucky... got some e mail pictures. Going to pass as it needs alot of work. The cutters were striking the main shield in the center which may indicate the rotar is not exactly true. The owner bought it, tried it out, and wants to sell as he purchased another machine. I never gave it a thought about the possibility of a bent rotar. This thread is a great teacher.... thanks rick !

Just a quick thought..... if the hangers did elonggate why would this not happen on the entire length of the rotar ? It appears the metal is bulging in the center of the shield. Regardless something terrible happened at this point. It makes sense a minor bend / flex / twist / would be in the center of a seven foot shaft... usually not at the end where it is well supported. Again anything is possible but I don't have the time to go through it. Besides when your all done cutting welds, replacing shields, adding expensive parts, you still end up with an old machine of minimal value. Like rick said..... ten cents a pound.
Click to expand...

You're welcome. Just because the seller got shafted doesn't mean you have to get it, too.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
 
 

Footer Links 1

Top